Author Dick Francis dead at 89

Author Dick Francis has died at his home in the Cayman Islands. He was 89.

Best known for this horse racing mystery and suspense books, Francis wrote 42 successful novels after his career as a jockey in the 1940s and 50s.

After working as a racing correspondent for the Sunday Express, Francis' autobiography was first published in 1957, followed by his first of many thriller novels "Dead Cert" in 1962. Francis received many awards for his writing including the Crime Writer's Association lifetime achievement award in 1996, and a CBE for his contributions to literature in 2000.

Francis and his son Felix co-wrote some of his recent titles including "Dead Heat." His next novel, also co-written by his son, is due for release in the fall.